Child Development Laboratory School

Full-day preschool services for children aged three to five years.

Mission

Saint Xavier University Laboratory School provides a nurturing, safe environment, which is child-directed, inquiry-based and play-centered. The exemplary University Laboratory School integrates teaching, learning and service benefiting children and their families and future teachers.

Program Information

  • Located at 11000 St. Louis in the United Methodist Church, approximately one mile from the Chicago campus
  • Year-round programming for Saint Xavier University students, faculty, staff, alumni and community residents
  • On-going registration with enrollment choices: fall, spring and/or summer
  • Choice of summer only registration: June 5 - July 28, 2006
  • Program hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • One-time annual registration fee of $35.00 with application
  • Choices of Monday - Friday schedules (5 days); Monday, Wednesday and Friday (3 days) or Tuesday and Thursday (2 days)
  • Tuition subsidy information available for full-time students
  • University catered lunches
  • Call (773) 298-4345 for an application and tour of the facility

Philosophy

In the spirit of the Mercy Mission and core values of Saint Xavier University including respect, excellence, compassion, service hospitality, integrity, diversity and learning for life, we believe that children learn through interactions with others and experiences within the environment. Respect for the child requires that teachers plan a developmentally appropriate curriculum and a prepared environment that allow children to be engaged and co-creators of their experiences. In their role, teachers guide children as facilitators in their learning, understanding child development theory and implementing research-based practice. Special attention is paid to sensory experiences that will involve all the developmental domains such as language, motor, cognition and social/emotional development. The environment, both indoors and outside, is designed to provide experiences in all curricular areas: math, science, social studies, creative arts, language and literacy. Within this environment, children have repeated opportunities to construct their understanding of the world around themselves and develop relationships with teachers and peers.

Parents are partners in the process, and valued in the development of their children as the first teachers. Respect for parents requires that they are welcome within the educational program, invited to participate and share the experiences of their children. Separation between a child and parent is considered an important step in the education program; therefore, teachers are sensitive to the needs of both and allow adequate time and support for successful transitions to school. Strong communication between parents and teachers is very important to the success of each child’s school experience.

Respect for our teachers requires a commitment by the School of Education to a supervised professional development plan for all teaching personnel, in order to support their development and continued growth within the field. The connection of this program with the School of Education is aligned with the School of Education Conceptual Framework: teaching, scholarship and service. As a Child Development Laboratory School, this program is designed to meet additional needs of the University. In this capacity, this program serves as a resource for educational research and clinical teaching placements for future teachers. As a professional development site, it offers opportunities for the broader early childhood education community to engage in dialogs and observe best practice.

Curriculum

The curriculum utilized in this program is the Creative Curriculum, a play-based, developmentally appropriate plan of activities for preschool-aged children that focuses on the environment. The curriculum is researched-based and includes the theories of Maslow, Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, Gardner and Smilansky. Using this approach, teachers encourage children to use critical thinking skills and solve problems. Strong components of the curriculum include the significance of the teachers’ and the parents’ roles in creating an environment that supports children’s learning and their interests.

Please contact Kelly O'Brien for information regarding tuition, registration, and tuition assistance at (773) 298-4345.

  • Respect
     
  • Excellence
     
  • Compassion
     
  • Service
     
  • Hospitality
     
  • Integrity
     
  • Diversity
     
  • Learning for Life

For More Information Contact:

Kelly O'Brien
Phone: (773) 298-4345

SXU Library Counseling & Career Services Get your gear at the SXU bookstore